U23 FRIENDLY: BURNLEY 2-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 'B'

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Young Clarets cruise to training ground win in useful cup warm-up

2021-09-01T14:57:00.708Z

U23 FRIENDLY: BURNLEY 2-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 'B'

Young Clarets cruise to training ground win in useful cup warm-up

2021-09-01T14:57:00.708Z

Clarets take on Toffees in Premier League Cup clash at Leyland

Lewis Richardson and Jacob Bedeau were on target as the Under-23s secured a comfortable training-ground win over Huddersfield’s B team.

With a fortnight’s gap between Premier League 2 fixtures due to the international break, the Clarets slotted in the visit of the Terriers.

And it proved a useful work-out ahead of Burnley’s home start in the Central League Cup group stages against Rochdale next Tuesday.

The game at Gawthorpe also saw Bobby Thomas get some game time at Under-23 level with the central defender producing his usual commanding performance at this level.

Anthony Glennon also made an impressive return to Michael Jackson’s side – along with midfielder Anthony Gomez-Mancini and Richardson who were back in the U23 ranks for the first time this season.

Captain Richardson led by example with the opening goal after less than five minutes.

U23 FRIENDLY: BURNLEY 2-0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 'B' - Image 1

The striker started and finished an excellent counter-attack from the edge of Burnley’s penalty area, bursting forward to accept a pass from Michael Mellon and drill a low shot past Australian goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic.

Bilokapic then denied Mellon with a fine save to keep out the forward’s long-range effort before Ne-Jai Tucker teed up Mellon for a chance he couldn’t take.

The Clarets had to endure spells of pressure as they gifted possession too readily but doubled their lead three minutes before half-time when Bedeau nodded home a Glennon corner.

Sam Waller replaced Lewis Thomas in Burnley’s goal at the break and the substitute had to make one fine save to touch an effort from Myles Bright over the bar.

But almost all the chances came the Clarets’ way as they regularly struck on the break to pick off the Terriers – who don’t have a regular league fixture schedule but have made it into the group stages of the Premier League Cup.

Mellon, having been teed up by Gomez-Mancini, saw his effort saved by Bilokapic.

And substitute Joe McGlynn could have had a hat-trick as the Clarets continued to rack up the openings without being able to apply the finishing touch to complete a more comprehensive victory.

“It was an ideal game for us to have to in a blank week,” said Jackson, whose side has been beaten in their opening three PL2 fixtures.

“It was good to have some players back and nice to keep a clean sheet.

“It’s also useful preparation for our first game in the cup competition next week which we’re looking forward to having a go at.”

As well as Rochdale, the Clarets will also face Bolton and Accrington Stanley after re-entering the Central League Cup.

Burnley: Thomas (Waller HT); Vaughan, Thomas, Bedeau, Glennon; Costelloe (Armstrong 80), Hugill, Gomez-Mancini (Ward 65), Tucker (Unwin 75); Richardson, Mellon (McGlynn 60).

Huddersfield Town: Bilokapic, Diarra, Headley (Maroodza 73), Austerfield, Kherbouche, Midgley, Aarons (Camara 60), Ruffels (Bright HT), Harratt, Russell, Abdulmalik (Shanks 66).